The Awesome 1980 NFL Draft: First Round

[@surfshack2]

Excellent , thoroughly enjoyed it. Tough break for Billy Sims, he probably would’ve been a Hall of Famer.

[@markgardner9460]

I agree - Sims was on the Hall of Fame track.

[@davidroberts7282]

He reminds me a bit of Chuck Foreman in a way because while both men running styles were drastically different (IMHO, Foreman was a better pass-catching RB), they both were great RB's whose prime years lasted maybe 3-4 years and then a major knee or ACL injury occurs, like in Sims case during a 1984 game IIRC, against Minnesota, and 40 years ago, ACL injuries were next-to-impossible to recover fully from, and were total career killers. Sims Lions teams werent as stacked with talented rosters like Foreman's Vikings were a decade previously, but he kind of gave us a foreshadowing of what we see and be awed by for a decade by Barry Sanders. That's because Billy Sims was Barry Sanders before Barry Sanders when Barry was in the 8th grade in Topeka, Kansas. I'm also, subconsciously, of the mindset that eventually the Lions inept ownership and FO would hurt, hamper, and destroy Sims' love for the game and either he retire prematurely like Barry and later, "Megatron" did, or he would demand a trade by mid-late 80's like Eric Dickerson did early in the 1987 season from L.A. to Indianapolis Colts.

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you for your comments. Sims reminds me of a faster Walter Payton - not necessarily better, mind you because I'm not sure that anyone is better, in my opinion. Sims had some great moves - Foreman had the spin moves that were phenomenal. Thanks, David!

[@LeeBrasher]

I had forgotten how good that guy was.

[@necrophagiakc]

Now this is going into my era of watching football became a Vikings fan at 9 in 79' so these are players I can say i watched early in their careers throughout..Doug Martin 💪💪

[@markgardner9460]

Doug Martin was crazy athletic. I watched almost every one of his pro games.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460 His brother George was as well

[@markgardner9460]

Good point! #75 in your Giants program, Steven.

[@SillyGoose2024]

I'm sure this compliment is heard a lot but these videos are excellently put together

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you - I really appreciate that!

[@michaelleroy9281]

Joe Cribbs had an immediate impact with the Buffalo Bills

[@miketemple7686]

This was great! These are the guys I grew up watching. Big shoulder pad and big hits! Nowadays they play aggressive touch football.

[@markgardner9460]

Whenever a player together has a shoulder bruise or injury, I just think about when players wore big boy shoulder pads. "Aggressive touch football" is quite apt. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@joeolivas2406]

Well they wear skirts now days

[@brisonrohrbach4619]

Sports n Gab is great. I really enjoy watching this guy’s videos

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you very much! I really enjoy making 'em!

[@Nillon24]

Linebacker George Cumby's 2 most famous plays were in the same game...getting destroyed by "The Fridge" in front of the entire nation on MNF in 1985.

[@markgardner9460]

I had forgotten that was him that got blasted! Thank you - I can visualize that play right now.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Perry on one of the blocks shoved several Packers back into the end zone! Holy cow!

[@terribletomvu37]

These highlights wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining if it hadn’t been for the interesting, fun facts. Good job and keep em coming!

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you. I'm glad that you enjoy 'em!

[@CJinsoo]

great video. did not know that about Munoz and Jets medical staff. Jets thought there was less risk in a track star WR from Texas Longhorns? The Longhorns? Synonymous with all pro WR like USC is for OL. And they traded up for the right. Should be FFF-, an F each for Player, Program, Position (trading up). Also, learned something interesting about Bruce Clark, pretty cool. after watching entire video, what a first round. picks started collapsing after Roynell Young, but there was some great talent in 2nd round. Hindsight makes revisiting these drafts so much fun. Cleveland, taking for need, could have had Joe Cribbs instead of White.

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you! Great point about the Jets/risk: Bob Hayes and a few other track stars panned out, but there was equally as many that didn't. Given that, why draft one so high? I think part of it was the aura and media hype surrounding him. Regarding Charles White/Joe Cribbs: Cleveland should have provided more decision-making weight in the absurdly high number of carries that smallish Charles White had at USC. While Cribbs had his share, it was nothing like White's workload.

[@LeeBrasher]

White had a very interesting/different running style. If you watch his great college runs, he was always cutting back INSIDE. He seemed to always want to get back to the middle of the field. Probably not conducive to longevity!@@markgardner9460

[@Topjake1492]

In Atlanta during the 80's, Sunday's were "Miller Time"!🍺

[@markgardner9460]

He was a great target in that high-powered offense.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Heading home nice Billy Sims Jersey!

[@markgardner9460]

Thanks, Steven. It's the very first jersey that I got as an adult.

[@michaelleroy9281]

Could also be a Barry Sanders jersey

[@calinlacasse3141]

Didnt Charles White have a nice bounce back season with the Rams in the late 80s?For some reason i remember a 1000 yd season from him.I could be wrong.

[@markgardner9460]

Yes he did, in 1987, by leading the NFL in rushing yards, rushing td's and rushing attempts. The workload burned him out and he was done after the following season.

[@someperson8151]

His college coach, John Robinson, was the Rams coach at the time. That helped him get his second chance.

[@davidmitchell6873]

He took over for Eric Dickerson.

[@ckobo84]

"Burned him out" that's one theory I guess. Since he had a bunch of mediocre years and only one really good year I'd say he just wasn't that great. Perhaps he was just really good at taking advantage of superior blocking, but couldn't do much on his own if it wasn't there.

[@markgardner9460]

I agree with your last statement. The Rams could have plugged in most anyone and they would have come close to the stats that he put up in '87. The guy was getting old in Running Back years and there wasn't much tread left in the tires at the end. In college he rushed over 1,000 times plus whatever he rushed for in bowl games and All-Star games, so he was totally used up.

[@jammininthepast]

Thanks for the hard work researching and putting this presentation together. Yeah, Billy Sims could have hung on but went out wisely on the top of his game. What a great back. It always interests me to see how drafts shake out and woulda-coulda-shoulda e.g. Anthony Munoz HOFer. How could you miss on him-who knew! Thanks brother, you're appreciated.

[@markgardner9460]

I shake my head when I read articles or videos like "The 8 players drafted before so 'n so" Well, hindsight is 20/20. It's not these teams employed Goober and Gomer Pyle to do their player assessments. They did what they thought made the most sense. As always, thank you for the comments!

[@jammininthepast]

@@markgardner9460 We've got Goober in Denver. However there no sure thing and often ALL the teams miss, Brock Purdy, and sometimes it's system, Brock Purdy. Now days College teams run pro systems, majority shotgun schemes. If colleges ran the bone top qb's wouldn't go there. Army & Navy can run the bone (and successfully) because they don't compete for recruits the same way the Universities do. Thanks....

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460 Goober and Gomer?😆

[@jammininthepast]

@@stevenzimmerman4057 Goober, Gomer, Otis & Ernest T. Bass. That sums up last year's Broncos team management. When they hired Sean Payton Ernest T. (GM George Paton) said to him "I love yooou". PS: John Elway's legendary taste for the drink, he would be Otis. & mark it George Paton (Ernest T. ) is dead man walking - hiring Nate Hackett (Goober) and backing up the Brinks truck for Russ Wilson (Gomer) (1/4 billion - yep with a b), mediocre drafts....Yeah. Thanks brother.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@jammininthepast I have to admit, that's funny,especially referring to Elway as Otis! Did his drinking ruin his marriage to Janet? They were portrayed as the perfect couple..

[@evanmeier3570]

Is that Tom Selleck? You must have been a stand up comic in your working days! Malone did get them to the AFC title game once. As far as Noll ever got after the glory days. Great video!

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you! Great point about Chuck Noll, too!

[@dannyvanhoutenjr.7224]

Fantastic throwback jersey sir

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you - I appreciate that!

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

Art Monk = A+

[@markgardner9460]

Even watching him in his rookie season, I knew that he was special.

[@davidroberts7282]

The HOF committee of writers, ex-NFL players, pollsters and other supposed football "experts" should be ashamed of themselves for keeping a great, legendary NFL WR out of Canton for over a decade. I'm not a Redskins/Ravens fan(Saints fan, actually), nor do I live in the DMV, but in both cities, a lot of fans in both those cities are still kind of angry at Canton for snubbing Monk for so long that even after he finally got inducted, the long wait in of itself was and still seen as very offensive to some of them.

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

@@davidroberts7282 In addition putting guys in after they are dead. Like Ron Santo in Baseball. I think he finally got in after his death. I should have looked this up before posting. I'll check but think I'm correct.

[@markgardner9460]

You're correct. Buck O'Neil is another. It's beyond pathetic what they do to these guys legacies and families.

[@fatherpeace6486]

I’ll watch when I get home, can’t wait!

[@markgardner9460]

Hope it meets your expectations.

[@joeallenboxing]

Another great video!!

[@kingofallmediums2123]

The GOAT! 🐐 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you!!

[@michaelhemphill8575]

"Billy Sims" ..resemble .."Earl Campbell"..was more "elusive".. in my " humble "opinion.."However" great "rundown" "SportsStatsNGab"!!

[@markgardner9460]

Earl was like a Mack truck who enjoyed running straight into VW Bugs while Sims was the sports car who enjoyed weaving in and out of traffic.

[@floridagator1765]

This was fantastic! Thanks!

[@markgardner9460]

I'm glad that you enjoyed it - thanks for watching!

[@davidmitchell6873]

Curtis Dickey had all the tools to be great but he was derailed by injuries.

[@markgardner9460]

He sure did; he was electric. Speed to burn.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460I was surprised by how many tackles he broke in this video!

[@markgardner9460]

Dickey was a case of being a track star who was also a football player, if ya know what I mean. He had good size at 6'1" 215 pounds, so he was a handful.

[@ChildOfThe1970s]

The late Charles White went on to have one great season with the LA Rams in 1987. Gained over 1,300 yards and scored 11 TDs. Sadly, his cocaine addiction really messed him up and ruined his potential. RIP.

[@markgardner9460]

Great thumbnail

[@michaelleroy9281]

I didn't know Charles White passed away

[@areguapiri]

I always liked watching Earl Cooper. I never knew he was a first round pick.

[@markgardner9460]

He was a big back at 227 pounds and San Francisco converted him into a Tight End during his fourth NFL season.

[@billyt9987]

It was a big loss for the Lions when Billy Sims hurt his knee. The sad part is? If it were present day when he got hurt. He'd be back playing the next season. But, like Gayle Sayers. Medical science just wasn't there yet.

[@markgardner9460]

Yes, that's unfortunate, for sure. Who knows what his career stats would have been playing with modern medicine - right up there with the best, I think.

[@topJimmyP1984]

First Steve Owens than Billy Sims...

[@fatherpeace6486]

Thank you, another great job. A running back was drafted number one. Will that ever happen again?

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you. That's an interesting question. I don't see the passing game going away anytime soon, so probably not. It will mostly be QB's, strong speedy Defensive Ends, and high end Cornerbacks.

[@fatherpeace6486]

@@markgardner9460 Yeah, Long live the great runners of the past. Keep up the great work.

[@markgardner9460]

Is it me or are today's runners (and those of the past 20 years) lacking "style"? It seems to me that there isn't much individualism in running the ball anymore. What do you think?

[@ckobo84]

4 out of 5 years a running back went #1. Ricky Bell (Tony Dorsett #2) , Earl Campbell, Billy Sims, George Rodgers. A couple years later Bo Jackson. Eric Dickerson went #2, Bo Jackson went #1. Herschel Walker certainly could have been #1.

[@markgardner9460]

O.J. went #1 overall in '69, too

[@RandallDenison]

I remember watching Charles White, Major Ogilvie, and Billy Simms in the late 70's. Always thought Major should have played in the NFL.

[@markgardner9460]

Did Major want to play pro ball, I wonder?

[@RandallDenison]

@@markgardner9460 IDK, I always wondered because he was really good.

[@patrickmcglynn5383]

Dallas cheerleaders should seriously consider going back to the go go boots.

[@markgardner9460]

Indeed!

[@areguapiri]

..and shorter short.

[@jeffy6903]

To be fair to the Colts, Dutton was holding out and was never going to play for Irsay. Getting 1st and 2nd rounders was pretty good given the circumstances.

[@markgardner9460]

Hatchett and Tim J. Foley were the draft picks and they didn't pan out - lopsided trade. Who knows - they draft others and then the trade looks a lot better.

[@jeffy6903]

@@markgardner9460 Exactly. Its easy to pan the trade in an outcome dependent view. Viewed in mid 1979 when the trade was made... They did about as well as they could.

[@markgardner9460]

That's right. It should be taken into account that teams sometimes have different drafting philosophies such as "taking the best available player" versus "draft by need", so the Colts may have bypassed someone who ended up having a very good career just because they drafted for need.

[@Scott-gc8lr]

I Was curious as to why the Broncos didn’t have a first round pick and here’s what I found….the Jets Traded • Matt Robinson to Broncos for • Craig Penrose • 1980 first round pick (#20-Jim Stuckey) • 1980 second round pick (#47-Ralph Clayton)

[@MatthewBaumgarten]

Those Lions highlights were so good they made Detroit look like they were a really good team back then

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

They did finish 9 and 7. They lost that overtime game to the Bears on Thanksgiving. They also lost to the pathetic Cardinals and pathetic cults by a point they could have went 12 wins and four losses but they went 9 and 7:00 so I think they did have a above average team

[@markgardner9460]

They started out hot - won first 4 games. Another One Bites The Dust was their team song

[@markgardner9460]

Dave Williams of the Bears returned the opening overtime kickoff for a td

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

@@markgardner9460 I distinctly remember that game I washed it with five friends in my living room we were all drunk I was 20 years old in 1980 and they knew I was a big lions fan one of them was a buccaneers fan one of them was a Bears fan one of them was a Rams fan and one of them was a cowboys fan and they all laughed I was so pissed off

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460 as a Vikings fan the Lions were probably better in 1980,but couldn't quite put it all together

[@RodericSpode]

A good draft overall, but the Bengals, Redskins and Lions knocked it out of the park. It's interesting how some of these guys like Charles White, are such great college players but just don't pan out in the NFL. Could be a mismatch with the system, the wrong team, poor coaching, injuries or any number of reasons. The draft is a bit of a crapshoot, even for players who seem like they are "can't miss" players.

[@markgardner9460]

With some players, the teams don't know how money and fame will affect their production. Some guys just take the money and run.

[@RodericSpode]

That's true. Johnny Manzel was a great example of that.@@markgardner9460

[@JS-fm9hm]

"Kung Fu" Billy Sims. What a player. Sanders picks up where Billy left off. Same number, same initials.

[@markgardner9460]

Christ Berman nicknamed him that - GREAT nickname, in my opinion.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460 Remember Sims kicking a player as he jumped up?I believe it was a Oiler

[@markgardner9460]

That's the play that lead to the nickname - I forgot the name of the Oilers player.

[@JS-fm9hm]

@@markgardner9460 I just looked it up and that player for the Oilers was Steve Brown. Ouch.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@JS-fm9hm Thanks I will check it out!

[@ArnoldOldSchool]

If I'm not mixing up my Packers lore, I believe that LB started off showing great promise but an injury took the zip out of his play and he became an also ran

[@markgardner9460]

Was it a knee injury? That is normally the culprit.

[@alfjgist]

The best play Mark Malone ever made in a Steelers uniform was a 90 yard touchdown catch in his rookie year. I grade that pick a D

[@markgardner9460]

I figured that he lasted awhile and there's value in that. To me, a "D" is a wasted pick.

[@alfjgist]

@@markgardner9460 cannot argue your logic. His time with the team however was less than stellar. He did manage 2 playoff wins so I can up the grade to C+ 😁

[@markgardner9460]

I have no problem with a C+. It'd be interesting to see the team results and stats of Bradshaw and Selleck...err, I mean Malone, if they they played in the others' time period.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460 Selleck😆Malone P.I!?

[@markgardner9460]

I love it.......Malone P.I.

[@jstube36]

The Cowboys didn't have a great draft in 1980. But they did find Timmy Newsome in the 6th round. Timmy turned out to be a pretty good FB and an underrated lead blocker for Tony Dorsett and briefly for Hershal Walker. Newsome at 230 Lbs. was a break from Coach Landry's prototypical FB. Before Newsome. Don Perkins, Walt Garrison, and Robert Newhouse were small compared to most at that position. Newsome became a mainstay in Tom Landry's offense for 8 seasons.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Dallas always seemed to find "Diamonds in the rough "

[@markgardner9460]

That draft was the exception to a normal one for them.

[@jstube36]

The role of the FB was about to change in the 80's. Especially in Dallas where Dorsett took the bulk of the carries. Newsome was a product of that change. Of course , a few years later, it would be Tom Rathman changing the role of the FB into what it is today. .

[@ckobo84]

Timmy Newsome was the guy that made Tony Dorsett's 99 yard run possible. He fumbled and bumbled the kickoff out of bounds at the 1/2 yard line.

[@RandallDenison]

I'm sorry but as a Cowboys fan I disagree. Newsom was just a big, slow 🐌 fullback that wasn't very good. We can agree to disagree.

[@nickbovi]

That is some generous grading for both Marc Wilson and Mark Malone, they were both C-/D+ players rather than B- players.

[@markgardner9460]

Since they both put in a good number of years (8 for Wilson & 7 for Malone) that accounts for something. Teams don't keep D+ players for very long.

[@nickbovi]

@@markgardner9460 Their stats compared to where they were drafted just aren't very good.

[@nujeru99]

Jacob Green was one of the best D-Linemen of the era and VERY underrated, due to playing in Seattle (cable was in its infancy, and Seattle's games weren't shown nationwide unless they played a team like Dallas or San Fran or Pittsburgh). 6 seasons of double digit sacks (which I wasn't aware he had that many seasons) and 115 for a career?? Definitely HOF worthy. Green, Dave Brown (also HOF worthy), Fredd Young, etc..those 80s Seahawks teams had some great defensive players

[@markgardner9460]

I don't remember watching him play very often, but the footage I've seen of him is impressive. He had great lateral pursuit and was quick. I think he'll make the HOF eventually.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

I didn't realize the total stats for Jacob Green,very impressive! As noted,Seattle in those days wasn't televised nationally ..

[@markgardner9460]

I remember when The Boz was steamrolled by Bo. Was that on MNF?

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460 Yes it was on MNF

[@markgardner9460]

A rare game in which Seattle played in the national spotlight. Thanks for confirming, Steven.

[@michaelleroy9281]

The Lions had another certain # 20 that was their first round draft choice in 1989

[@markgardner9460]

If Sims didn't mess up his knee, I believe that they would have had three Hall of Fame players who wore #20.

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

I went to the lions vs rams game in sims rookie year

[@markgardner9460]

1st game for the Rams at The Big A. I watched that game on tv. Where were your seats?

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

@@markgardner9460 Between the 30 and 40 yard line. Lower level . Around 23rd row ?

[@markgardner9460]

Those are pretty sweet seats!

[@dondajulah4168]

@@markgardner9460 You must have been outside the LA market because I am pretty sure that game was blacked out locally. I listened to Bob Starr and Dick Bass call the game on KMPC.

[@markgardner9460]

Yes I was.

[@docnoc66]

Hi mark - in Detroit working so I’ll have to wear my #44 LeBeau 1969 jersey for this one…although I can switch to my Bert Jones white Colts

[@markgardner9460]

So, do you travel for your work often? The LeBeau jersey is clean - no excess "stuff" on it. I have a feeling that more jerseys will be in my closet after the holiday.

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

Dick LeBeau and Lem Barney. Wow what a duo. Looking for a well centered LeBeau rookie card. Centering was difficult on the 65 and 66 Philadelphia Football sets.

[@markgardner9460]

And getting an action photo card was next to impossible

[@docnoc66]

@@markgardner9460yes I do 2 x a month- work in Southfield and Dearborn…if I had your address - I would send u a few for the holidays

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

A lot of solid to great picks!Haynes, Martin ,Green,Brock Ritcher.. Art Monk was a great pick!

[@crollwtide9452]

A great what if: What if Billy Sims didn't tear up his knee in 1984? Would they have ended up drafting Barry Sanders?

[@markgardner9460]

Sims would have been getting quite long in the tooth in '89, so I think they would have drafted Sanders if they had that same draft pick number.

[@LeeBrasher]

To add insult to injury for the Browns -- Charles White went on to lead the league with 1,387 yards rushing for the Rams in 1987, and was voted Comeback Player of the Year. Oh well!

[@markgardner9460]

Head Coach John Robinson to the rescue!

[@clmt_1904.]

Gary Danielson: Just give the ball to Billy Sims and let it go at that.

[@markgardner9460]

That was the best path to victory. Hopefully get ahead, then rely on The Silver Rush to harrass the opposing QB.

[@williamford9564]

17:30: Wow. Charles White was the man who kept Billy Sims from being a repeat Heisman Trophy winner in 1979. Sims in his rookie year gained almost as much as White did in his whole career.

[@markgardner9460]

Sims rushed for 1,506 yards and 22 TD's with a 6.7 average yards per carry as a senior while White rushed for 1,803 yards, 18 TD's with a 6.2 average yards per carry. Would you rather have the 4 extra TD's or the 300 extra yards? I'll take the TD's.....and Sims as the '79 Heisman Trophy winner.

[@williamford9564]

@@markgardner9460 Sims’ numbers were down from his Herculean numbers in 1978 and I am sure there was some We Don’t Want To Award Back to Back Heismans when White was out there too. There had been some controversy over whether Archie Griffin should have won his second in 1975. Lastly, there had to be some I Hate Barry Switzer feelings among the media members voting. John Robinson at USC was much more likeable.

[@markgardner9460]

I think you're absolutely right about the voters not wanting another 2X winner as well as the Switzer angle (given that Oklahoma won the '74 national title without the benefit of a bowl game victory). Great insight - thanks!

[@mikec6733]

Is this going in order ??

[@markgardner9460]

Yes, from #1 through #28

[@ArnoldOldSchool]

To mildly defend the Packers, Clark's rights would eventually be traded for another 1st IIRC

[@markgardner9460]

What is "IIRC"?

[@ArnoldOldSchool]

If I recall correctly. @@markgardner9460

[@markgardner9460]

You just took me to school, ArnoldOldSchool. Thanks - I appreciate it!

[@denisceballos9745]

I remember the Giants’ 1980 # 1 pick Mark Haynes (36) playing for Denver in the late 80’s when they slammed the door on the Browns 3X in a row. NY would pick QB Scott Brunner (12) in the 6th round in 1980 (bonehead play at 16:33). G-men would do better in the draft the next year, in 1981.

[@markgardner9460]

Haynes played on the '86 & '87 Denver Super Bowl teams. He was a very solid player.

[@ckobo84]

You show'd the worst highlights imaginable for Haynes. Getting burnt by Tilley, then giving up a huge run to O. J. Anderson. What the heck?

[@markgardner9460]

Obtaining footage specific to the 1980 for a defensive player is a daunting task. He didn't give up the huge run to Ottis Anderson, but rather made the touchdown saving tackle. In short, I did the best with what was available. I wish that I had more positive plays to feature.

[@seanogrady2629]

2:18 I vaguely recall there was a "Lam", "Ham" and "Jam" Jones

[@markgardner9460]

Yes, I did some research in an attempt to determine what "Jam" stood for, but I didn't obtain the result. Does anyone know?

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

​@@markgardner9460i thought I made a comment, but the Longhorns had 3 RB named Johnny Jones "Lam" "and " Ham" were named as previously noted, by where they came from.. "Jam" was called that because it rhymed and to differentiate

[@markgardner9460]

It wasn't because he was from Jameson, TX then. Cool. I never knew - Thanks!

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460 Yes I stumbled across that on a Texas website.

[@damien5138]

In the 80's. Jets missed Munoz, Marino,Rice and Randall McDaniel.

[@markgardner9460]

Just one of those would have made a big difference for the Jets!

[@damien5138]

​@@markgardner9460Munoz and McDaniel protecting Marino while throwing to Rice. 4 hall of famers

[@marcamerine7941]

Mark Malone B- 😅😂 are U crazy . He was Awful.!!

[@markgardner9460]

He played 8 years for the Raiders and they won 31 games and lost 19 in his 50 starts. Anyone who plays that long with a team, the draft selection has to be considered a moderate success.

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

Jets screwed up again.

[@markgardner9460]

Plus they paid Jones a fortune. 750K at least + a reported 250K loan

[@williamford9564]

10:50: The Niners fleeced the Jets on that one.

[@markgardner9460]

They sure did. The Niners needed draft pick quantity and that trade certainly helped. They turned their fortunes around quickly with some awesome drafting.

[@kingofallmediums2123]

I wonder if Simms could continue to play if they had the medical technology of today! 😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😅

[@markgardner9460]

Good question! I have a feeling that they would have been able to help him.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Sims was dazzling on trap plays!

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Wow the Jets passed on Munoz?Seems typical of them at the time!OUCH!

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

@@stevenzimmerman4057 think of all the teams that passed on Dan Marino

[@markgardner9460]

I can see what the Jets were trying to do considering the institution of the rules designed to aid the passing game: they already had Todd and Walker, so they were trying to replicate the Chargers offensive success.

[@neilschauer5080]

Lot of super talented player with very short careers due to artificial turf & unadvanced surgical procedures

[@josephmiller9424]

The LIONS had Billy Sims and doesnt get talked about enough if he had been hurt Lions wouldnt have drafted Barry

[@doclew28]

B- for Marc Wilson??? As a Raider fan who was a teenager for most of his career I give that pick a grade of F... That guy ruined my entire childhood... He was scared of his own shadow... He was friggin HORRIBLE!!!

[@markgardner9460]

He played 8 years for the Raiders and they won 31 games and lost 19 in his 50 starts. Anyone who plays that long with a team, the draft selection has to be considered a moderate success. If he was so horrible, then why didn't the Raiders get rid of him???

[@doclew28]

@markgardner9460 AL Davis loved his strong armed QBs... Plunkett won 2 Super Bowls. Steve Beurlein was a better QB but didn't have the rocket arm. We won all those games bcuz of our defense. We wasted the better part of Howie Long and Greg Townsend's careers. Not to mention Lester Hayes, Mike Haynes, Matt Millen (who was drafted 2nd behind Wilson in 1980). I'm telling you bro. I'm from Oakland and I watched every game. WILSON was afraid in the pocket. It was painful to watch. When we played the Bears in 84 he wanted NO PARTS of the game. I get what u are saying tho. And as good as Al Davis was in the 70s... he simply missed with Marc Wilson. 😭😭😭 Love your videos tho. I watch all of them. LOL

[@markgardner9460]

Marcus Allen also had some awesome years while Wilson was wearing the Silver & Black, so the high win ratio that Wilson had is not necessarily indicative of his own performance. As you mentioned, the Raiders had a very good defense. For a QB being 6'6" tall, he was gangly at only 205 pounds. Maybe that's one of the reasons that he couldn't hang in the pocket well - he didn't have any bulk. It sounds like Big Al didn't want to admit his mistake. Wilson played in 46 other games, so maybe Al kept him around more of as an experienced back-up QB which would account for his extended stay of 8 years. I appreciate your insight and thank you for watching all of my videos! Please keep commenting - I like alternate viewpoints that are supported well.

[@doclew28]

@markgardner9460 hahaha. No worries. Will do. Your content is awesome. And don't even get me started on Marcus and all his FUMBLING. 😭😭😭 We should have at least one more trophy. LOL Al Davis NEVER admits mistakes. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@MarkWestbrook-kq9wr]

Billy Sims the first Barry sanders

[@markgardner9460]

It's amazing that they could have two incredibly dynamic running backs who played in a similar era. There's never gonna be another running back like either one of 'em.

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

I never cared for Gary Danielson. I loved Eric Hipple.

[@markgardner9460]

I wasn't big on either, but I didn't watch every Lions game, maybe my opinion could be changed...

[@carseye1219]

And your thumbnail for "The Awesome..." is Charles White? He was a drug-addled waste for the Browns. Heard many descriptions of him and later USC alum Chip Banks, tearing apart the Cleveland locker room. White then cleans up and plays well for the Rams after he leaves. Thanks, Trojans. Oh, and Paul McDonald, heralded as the left handed successor to Brian Sipe, was awful.

[@markgardner9460]

It's a great action photo and he was the Heisman Trophy winner.

[@carseye1219]

Charles White is a sore spot for any Browns fan of that era. The 1980 Browns were maybe one good player from a Super Bowl. He sure wasn't it. @@markgardner9460

[@markgardner9460]

What position do you think needed the most help?

[@carseye1219]

I think running back was a good choice. Greg Pruitt's injuries limited him. Mike Pruitt was a great runner between the tackles but not a home run hitter. A clean Charles might have been the difference. @@markgardner9460

[@denisceballos9745]

Another case of a Heisman trophy winner not panning out in the pros. There’s been a few of those.

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

1st to comment on the best football channel on yu tube

[@Tony-r7v]

Congrats. Like you said this is a football channel and no one cares who’s first. 😂

[@markgardner9460]

Yeah! Thanks, Steve!

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

@@Tony-r7v LMAO. Your just bitter because the White Sox traded away talent. Norm Cash and Johnny Callison were originally with the White Sox. Your bitter they Traded away Tommie Agee.

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

@@Tony-r7v trinity Lutheran. Your bitter

[@SteveAustin-jp3ev]

@@Tony-r7v you've been blocked 😭

[@dustylover100]

Too bad they didn't have modern knee surgery techniques back then. Billy Sims might have been playing in the same backfield with Barry Sanders. Now that would have been something.

[@markgardner9460]

It could have happened. Sims would have been nearing the end with Sanders just starting out...but then Barry would have had a different uniform number.

[@RandallDenison]

Billy Simms was good but never very fast. As the highlight of the linebacker running him down shows.

[@markgardner9460]

He had enough speed. We don't know how many times he ran the ball before that play or how hard he battled for yardage in those runs. Those aspects will affect stamina, obviously.

[@topJimmyP1984]

He had FAR less success than Terry! 😂

[@markgardner9460]

Who are we talkin' about?

[@topJimmyP1984]

The Tom Selleck look a like, Mark Malone, being far less successful than Terry Bradshaw, now that's an understatement!

[@markgardner9460]

Oh, yeah. Gotcha!!!

[@jeremiahrose4681]

You are so soft on these ratings...a grade above what they should be. The best picks by far is Sims and Art Monk, people remember Art, not Sims....man he was a great back. Carrier cut too short. I'm a Raiders fan, and hated Mark Wilson. Raiders should have waited for Eric Hipple, OR Gary Hogeboom. Drafting a qb in that draft was a mistake. That draft was so weak at qb.

[@markgardner9460]

The draft was weak for top shelf QB's, but the Raiders were in need and Wilson was 6'6" tall, so he had the size that Al Davis liked.

[@dondajulah4168]

Oh man, all I could think about when I saw that Marc Wilson rating was Raider fans gonna be po'd at that one. I remember just how awful he was as a QB. Much worse than the stats would tell you and the stats were pretty bad. Gotta keep in mind the talent that the Raiders had at that time and how little he had to do to be able to keep that job once they handed the reins over to him.

[@jeremiahrose4681]

Yep, Wilson had Al Davis's arm, but like Jay Schroeder and JaMarcus Russell, it takes more to be a great qb than an arm. The Raiders should have found another vet Qb instead of drafting one that year. @@dondajulah4168

[@jeremiahrose4681]

Al Davis liked a lot of things, but it wasn't always great. They should have passed and picked up a vet qb that year. For all the great thigs Al did, he made a lot of mistakes. Then again the leagues messed Al over on Elway and then Al should have drafted Marino in 83. Then the Wilson experience would have been a moot point. Raiders had to take a chance on Wilson until the Schroder disaster. I do know my Raiders. @@markgardner9460

[@markgardner9460]

I could have rated him lower, but he put in time, so that accounts for something.

[@jodypaluch3933]

Weak QB draft year. Fizzle. Billy Sims is a definite sizzle!

[@markgardner9460]

It definitely was a woefully weak QB draft. The Browns received a draft pick from the Rams in this draft that they used to select USC's Paul McDonald